The Outer Worlds 2 Review: A Superior Sequel with Engaging Choices and Consequences

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Obsidian Entertainment followed up their successful 2019 sci-fi RPG, The Outer Worlds, with a sequel. The Outer Worlds 2 builds on the original’s formula—often described as a Falloutstyle experience set in space—and features substantial improvements. Created by key members of the original Fallout* team, Tim Cain and Leonard Boyarsky, the sequel promises to deliver an even more engaging experience for fans of the first game and RPG enthusiasts alike.

The sequel, The Outer Worlds 2, continues the original game’s sharp critique of capitalism and big business, but features a more compelling central story. The game shifts its setting from the Halcyon colonies to the Arcadia system, which is facing a crisis due to dangerous tears in space and time. Players will investigate the cause of these rifts and try to close them, navigating conflicts between powerful corporations and different factions – all while playing a key role in the unfolding events.

The Choices You Make Matter in The Outer Worlds 2

In The Outer Worlds 2, your decisions truly matter. Many choices have significant and long-lasting effects – they can range from comical to devastating, and even lead to the destruction of entire areas or the death of key characters. You might even find some side quests become unavailable depending on your actions. Unlike some games that only seem to offer meaningful choices, Outer Worlds 2 fully commits to letting players shape the game world, story, and characters in a real and impactful way.

It’s unfortunate how things turned out for this character, but my decisions shape the story, and different choices could have led to a different fate for him and others in the game.

In Outer Worlds 2, your character’s abilities determine how you experience the game. Strong communication skills let you resolve situations through conversation, while struggling with talking can lead to more combat. High engineering lets you repair broken technology directly, bypassing the need to search for solutions. And being good at lockpicking unlocks areas otherwise off-limits. The game offers a lot of flexibility in how you play, and it’s enjoyable to see how different approaches and character builds affect the outcome of quests and challenges.

In Outer Worlds 2, every situation offers multiple ways to succeed, greatly increasing the game’s replayability and emphasizing player freedom. For example, if you need to enter a facility for a mission, you could complete a side quest to gain access, allowing you to move around freely. Alternatively, if you’re short on time, you can sneak in, quietly taking down enemies. Or, if you prefer a more direct approach, you can simply fight your way through.

The Outer Worlds 2 is a Step Above the Original Game

Combat in The Outer Worlds 2 is a significant improvement over the first game. Weapons feel more powerful and satisfying to use, with a greater variety to choose from. The game also introduces gadgets that add interesting tactical options, such as slowing down time or seeing through walls. While I occasionally ran out of ammo too quickly, overall the combat is fast-paced and thrilling.

In The Outer Worlds 2, you won’t face the dangers of space alone. You can team up with companions who offer unique skills in battle, like restraining enemies or healing your team. These companions grow stronger with new abilities and have their own personal stories to tell through engaging quests. They’re not just there to fight, though – companions have opinions and might disagree with your choices, even leading to conflict. While you can’t pursue romantic relationships with them, they’re still compelling characters who add depth to the game if you take the time to get to know them.

The Outer Worlds 2 offers plenty of optional side quests and companion storylines, but you’re free to focus solely on the main story if you prefer. A playthrough of just the main quest can be completed in under 10 hours, which is a good length for a focused narrative. While the game offers a larger experience for those who want it, players interested only in the core story will find a well-paced and engaging adventure. The ending is satisfying and will likely encourage you to replay the game to see how different choices impact the characters and groups within the game.

It took me about 8 and a half hours to finish the main story of The Outer Worlds 2, but that was just the beginning – the game has a lot more to explore.

One drawback of The Outer Worlds 2 is the lack of a New Game+ feature. Having to start a completely new game each time you finish a playthrough, at least for me, makes me less interested in playing again. After spending a lot of time developing a character and collecting weapons, it’s more appealing to carry those things over to a new playthrough with different choices and increased difficulty – something a proper New Game+ would allow.

Players might find some frustrating bugs in The Outer Worlds 2. While the game is generally polished – especially compared to other games in the genre – and looks and runs great most of the time, it’s not without its problems. I experienced a few glitches, like an NPC disappearing and reappearing in another room, and an elevator that wouldn’t let me select a floor to continue a quest. There’s also some visual distortion around the screen edges that doesn’t look quite right. The game did crash once, but thankfully frequent auto-saving meant these issues didn’t ruin the overall experience.

Okay, so the game wasn’t perfect – I ran into a few little bugs here and there, and I really wish they’d included a New Game+ option. But honestly, The Outer Worlds 2 is a fantastic action RPG. If you loved Fallout or the first Outer Worlds, you’re going to have a blast. It’s another really strong RPG from Obsidian, and honestly, it’s the perfect way for them to finish off what’s been an amazing year for the studio.

The Outer Worlds 2 will be released on October 29th for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X. Players who pre-order or purchase a specific edition can start playing on October 24th with early access. Game Rant received a review copy of the game for Xbox Series X.

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2025-10-23 16:07